Through the Maldives, Pakistan stakes a claim to a bigger Indian Ocean role
A maritime security pact signed during President Muizzu’s visit gives Islamabad a foothold in waters New Delhi has long treated as its own backyard.
Asim Munir
Asim Munir and Maldives’ Muizzu agree to deepen defence cooperation
The army chief met the Maldivian president in Islamabad on the second day of the first visit by a Maldivian head of state in 11 years, as the two countries signed a defence and maritime security pact.
Pakistan, Maldives sign 20 MoUs as Shehbaz hosts Muizzu in Islamabad
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's first visit to Pakistan in 11 years yields 20 agreements spanning defence, maritime security, trade and tourism, as Shehbaz Sharif pledges to strengthen ties.
Rubio says US “has to have a relationship” with nuclear-armed Pakistan
Marco Rubio says Pakistan is a country the US "has to have a relationship with," citing its nuclear arsenal and geography, as his India trip skips New Delhi with no Modi meeting announced.
Pakistan army chief Asim Munir arrives in Tehran for talks
Field Marshal Asim Munir lands in Tehran for the latest in a series of visits as Pakistan continues mediating between Iran and the United States.
Field Marshal Asim Munir and Saudi envoy discuss defence cooperation at GHQ
Saudi Arabia's newly appointed ambassador Rajeh Tami Albugamy called on Field Marshal Asim Munir in Rawalpindi, with both sides citing progress under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye agree to activate Makkah pact
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye decided at an emergency meeting in Riyadh on 5 October to move to the practical implementation of collective defence commitments under the Makkah Alliance for Defense, including rapid deployment of agreed forces in the Kingdom.
Boris Johnson has lost it on Imran Khan
Pakistan's courts are already ordering what Johnson demands. The man who slashed Britain's aid to Pakistan now wants to use "our leverage" to overrule its courts. Everything else in his Daily Mail column is wrong, half-told or left out.
First Makkah Defence Alliance secretary general to be from Pakistan
The defence pact signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye three weeks ago will be known as the Makkah Defence Alliance, its secretariat has been established in Riyadh, and its first secretary general will be appointed from among Pakistanis, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced in Istanbul on Monday.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye hold first Makkah pact meeting
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye convene the first session of the committee created under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in Istanbul on Monday, each sending their foreign minister, defence minister and military chief. It is the first institutional step since the pact was signed three weeks ago, and the agenda covers defence capabilities, interoperability and, according to Pakistani reporting, joint production.
